012:004 God knows—was caught up into Paradise and heard unspeakable
things which no human being is permitted to repeat.
012:005 Of such a one I will boast; but of myself I will not boast,
except in my weaknesses.
012:006 If however I should choose to boast, I should not be a fool for so doing, for I should be speaking the truth. But I forbear, lest any one should be led to estimate me more highly than what his own eyes attest, or more highly than what he hears from my lips.
012:007 And judging by the stupendous grandeur of the revelations— therefore lest I should be over-elated there has been sent to me, like the agony of impalement, Satan's angel dealing blow after blow, lest I should be over-elated.
012:008 As for this, three times have I besought the Lord to rid me of him;
012:009 but His reply has been, "My grace suffices for you, for power matures in weakness." Most gladly therefore will I boast of my infirmities rather than complain of them— in order that Christ's power may overshadow me.
012:010 In fact I take pleasure in infirmities, in the bearing of insults, in distress, in persecutions, in grievous difficulties— for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
012:011 It is foolish of me to write all this, but you have compelled me to do so. Why, you ought to have been my vindicators; for in no respect have I been inferior to these superlatively great Apostles, even though in myself I am nothing.
012:012 The signs that characterize the true Apostle have been done
among you, accompanied by unwearied fortitude, and by tokens
and marvels and displays of power.
012:013 In what respect, therefore, have you been worse dealt with than
other Churches, except that I myself never hung as a dead
weight upon you? Forgive the injustice I thus did you!